The 12-13 December 2003
Oklahoma Winter Storm

On December 12-13, 2005, a winter storm caused problems across northern Oklahoma and portions of western and central Oklahoma and western north Texas.

Heavy snow fell across portions of northern Oklahoma starting in the afternoon of December 12, and continuing overnight into the morning hours of December 13. Much of the area received 4 to 8 inches of snow with greater amounts falling across north central Oklahoma in Grant and Garfield and parts of Kay and Noble counties. The largest snowfall reported was 5 W of Jefferson where 12 inches of snowfall fell. The next highest report was 11 inches in Medford, Nash, and Deer Creek. This snow caused numerous accidents and business closings across the area.

Northwestern Oklahoma received only snow. Snowfall amounts ranged from 1 to 4 inches at most locations in the area. The largest amount reported was 4 inches in Buffalo, Cedardale, and Waynoka, with a few locations receiving over 3 inches of snow. A strong cold front moving across the area caused strong north and northwest winds along with the snow. Winds were sustained at 25 to 35 mph with gusts above 40 mph for much of the day into the evening hours. Winds combined with the snowfall caused blowing and drifting snow conditions across northern Oklahoma which created dangerous driving conditions. Numerous accidents were reported.

Freezing rain, sleet, and snow fell across portions of west central and central Oklahoma causing dangerous driving conditions across the area. Many traffic accidents were reported, especially along Interstate 40. Freezing rain which caused icy roads fell for several hours on Dec. 12th before the precipitation eventually changed to sleet and then snow. Interstate 40 was closed for a time due to numerous traffic accidents in a small area in western Oklahoma. One man was reported injured in one of these accidents. Snowfall accumulations varied across the area from less than an inch to 6 inches. The greatest snowfall where the mix of winter precipitation occurred fell in Kingfisher, Logan, and Payne counties where 4 to 6 inches of snow fell. Freezing rain also caused icy conditions in portions of western north Texas. Icy roads caused many traffic accidents across the area. However, no injuries were reported.

A map of the storm totals snowfall amounts for the December 12-13, 2003 Winter Storm over Oklahoma is now available. Please click on the map to view a larger map with higher resolution. This map is based on snowfall reports from the NWS Norman cooperative observers.

Below the map is a Public Information Statement issued by NWS Norman on December 13, 2003. This product includes storm total snowfall amounts reported by the NWS Norman cooperative observers, law enforcement personnel, and emergency management officials.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
1145 AM CST SAT DEC 13 2003

HERE ARE SOME STORM TOTALS FROM THE AROUND THE AREA:

ALFALFA COUNTY...
CHEROKEE            7.0 INCHES      
HELENA 1 SSE        8.0 INCHES  

BECKHAM COUNTY...
SAYRE               TRACE
ERICK               TRACE    

BLAINE COUNTY...
WATONGA             4.0 INCHES        

CANADIAN COUNTY...
EL RENO             3.0 INCH        
PIEDMONT 3 N        0.5 INCH 

CLEVELAND COUNTY...
NORMAN              1.0 INCH
NOBLE               TRACE

CUSTER COUNTY...
CLINTON             2.0 INCHES
WEATHERFORD         2.0 INCHES

DEWEY COUNTY...
TALOGA              3.0 INCH
VICI                2.0 INCHES
LEEDEY              1.0 INCH
    
ELLIS COUNTY...
FARGO               2.0 INCHES
ARNETT              1.0 INCH        
    
GARFIELD COUNTY...
ENID                9.0 INCHES      

GRANT COUNTY...
JEFFERSON 5 W      12.0 INCHES
MEDFORD            11.0 INCHES
JEFFERSON          10.0 INCHES
NASH               11.0 INCHES
DEER CREEK         11.0 INCHES
MANCHESTER         10.0 INCHES
MEDFORD 12 NNW     10.0 INCHES
HAWLEY              9.0 INCHES
LAMONT              8.0 INCHES
RENFROW             6.0 INCHES

HARPER COUNTY...
BUFFALO             3.0 INCHES      
LAVERNE             2.0 INCHES   

KAY COUNTY...
BRAMAN              8.0 INCHES
BLACKWELL           7.0 INCHES
NEWKIRK 1 NW        6.0 INCHES
HARDY               5.0 INCHES

KIOWA COUNTY...
SEDAN               TRACE

KINGFISHER COUNTY...
KINGFISHER          5.0 INCHES      
HENNESSEY 4 ESE     5.0 INCHES     

LINCOLN COUNTY...
STROUD 3 N          TRACE

LOGAN COUNTY...
MARSHALL            7.0 INCHES
MULHALL 1 SE        6.0 INCHES
GUTHRIE 5 S         5.0 INCHES      

MAJOR COUNTY...
ORIENTA 1 SSW       5.0 INCHES      

NOBLE COUNTY...
BILLINGS            9.0 INCHES
RED ROCK            8.0 INCHES
MORRISON            8.0 INCHES
PERRY               6.0 INCHES      
    
OKLAHOMA COUNTY...
EDMOND              4.0 INCHES
OKLAHOMA CITY       2.0 INCHES
     
PAYNE COUNTY...
STILLWATER          5.0 INCHES
PERKINS             4.0 INCHES
INGALLS             4.0 INCHES
CUSHING             3.0 INCHES 

ROGER MILLS...
CROWELL             TRACE
HAMMON 3 SSW        TRACE

WOODS COUNTY...
FREEDOM             4.0 INCHES
     
WOODWARD COUNTY...
WOODWARD            3.0 INCHES 
CEDARDALE 1 ESE     3.0 INCHES
MUTUAL              2.0 INCHES